No, you’re not wearin’ that again. [ harley can’t decide what pisses her off most — the fact that another dom decided it was their right to put a collar on charlotte like that, or that they chose arguably the ugliest one to force her to play the part and make nice. ] We’re gonna get you another one. A better one than that. If they need you collared up for some fucking apology tour, then it’ll be one you want to wear, not one you have to.
[ what grinds her gears more is that she had to find out about all of this after the fact, but then again, she hasn’t tried to really put tabs on charlotte or pay attention to where she is every minute of every day either, so maybe some of this is her own fault. ]
So we give them what they want for now, but we do it our way. Don’t give ‘em the satisfaction of makin’ you kneel in things they made you wear. You dress up how you want, you wear something pretty and shiny around your neck and you let me do the talkin’ on the network, and if I have to tell ‘em that I had to punish ya, we can make ‘em believe it. We’re good at pretend, aren’t we? [ her voice is soft, soothing, and she leans in to press her lips to charlotte’s temple, stroking along the side of her tear-streaked cheek. ]
You know I’d do anything for you, don’tcha, gorgeous? [ she turns charlotte’s face to hers, nudges their noses together. ] And that includes dealin’ with these assholes.
[Charlotte closes her eyes as Harley leans in, letting her scent, sweet and sharp and... goodness knows what - wash over her. It's a motherly gesture, rather than sexual, possibly the most affectionate touch Charlotte's ever experienced. It quietens her and she lets herself be soothed by Harley's plan. She nods along to Harley's question.]
Right. Pretend. We'll make 'em think it and then do whatever the hell we want after. Right. [She nods, almost to herself, before Harley catches her face. Charlotte smiles, and rubs her nose against the side of Harley's, nuzzling in.] I wish we could just take your bat and break their knees. Then they should have at least reason to complain about me. Perhaps I shall just have to wait until he has forgotten me and then smash his shop windows instead.
[Charlotte pecks Harley's cheek.] Or perhaps I shall just let you help me forget it all ever happened.
And — I know you wanna protect your sister. But you're important too. [ she cups charlotte's face between her hands, fingers moving to wipe away all of the dampness still clinging to the other woman's cheeks even if she can't take away all of the signs that charlotte's been crying, the red-rimmed eyes and the slightly puffy features. ] If you don't wanna go back there, you don't have to. We can figure out another way to keep her safe, and you can work somewhere better for you. Pick up more shifts at the club or somethin'.
[ it is an appealing thought, wielding her bat on something or someone, and she considers it with a tilt of her head, but in the same breath she realizes that this might be a case of playing it smart, not hard. especially since huaisang has already demonstrated how he reacts to the violent approach. ]
Why don't we think about somethin' else for a little while? No reason they need to live rent-free in your head anymore. [ she smooths charlotte's hair back with one hand, trying to coax a smile with one of her own. ] Lemme cheer you up.
Lucy has such bad taste in her culls. The man she signed to at home turned out to be a murderer. He sent my Ma to the gallows and I couldn't even find Lucy to let her say goodbye. Huaisang might not be a murderer but there is something there that reminds me of Fallon. It worries me for her, and she'll refuse to see it for the brothel. That's why I must go back.
[She smiles at Harley's gentle touches and her infectious smile.]
I landed on my feet when you took me on, Harley. What would I do without you?
Sometimes you can't see the forest for the trees, or whatever. [ there's a chance she butchered that sentiment, but the point is maybe lucy's in too deep to know who she's gotten herself involved with, or maybe she's just unwilling to believe it. harley understands loyalty, but she also isn't about to let charlotte walk back into a bad situation without finding a way to protect herself too. ]
The same shit you did before we even ran into each other. [ she tucks a few pieces of hair behind charlotte's ear, hand dropping back into her own lap. ] You've always been capable of standin' tall, with or without me.
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[ what grinds her gears more is that she had to find out about all of this after the fact, but then again, she hasn’t tried to really put tabs on charlotte or pay attention to where she is every minute of every day either, so maybe some of this is her own fault. ]
So we give them what they want for now, but we do it our way. Don’t give ‘em the satisfaction of makin’ you kneel in things they made you wear. You dress up how you want, you wear something pretty and shiny around your neck and you let me do the talkin’ on the network, and if I have to tell ‘em that I had to punish ya, we can make ‘em believe it. We’re good at pretend, aren’t we? [ her voice is soft, soothing, and she leans in to press her lips to charlotte’s temple, stroking along the side of her tear-streaked cheek. ]
You know I’d do anything for you, don’tcha, gorgeous? [ she turns charlotte’s face to hers, nudges their noses together. ] And that includes dealin’ with these assholes.
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Right. Pretend. We'll make 'em think it and then do whatever the hell we want after. Right.
[She nods, almost to herself, before Harley catches her face. Charlotte smiles, and rubs her nose against the side of Harley's, nuzzling in.]
I wish we could just take your bat and break their knees. Then they should have at least reason to complain about me. Perhaps I shall just have to wait until he has forgotten me and then smash his shop windows instead.
[Charlotte pecks Harley's cheek.] Or perhaps I shall just let you help me forget it all ever happened.
no subject
[ it is an appealing thought, wielding her bat on something or someone, and she considers it with a tilt of her head, but in the same breath she realizes that this might be a case of playing it smart, not hard. especially since huaisang has already demonstrated how he reacts to the violent approach. ]
Why don't we think about somethin' else for a little while? No reason they need to live rent-free in your head anymore. [ she smooths charlotte's hair back with one hand, trying to coax a smile with one of her own. ] Lemme cheer you up.
no subject
[She smiles at Harley's gentle touches and her infectious smile.]
I landed on my feet when you took me on, Harley. What would I do without you?
no subject
The same shit you did before we even ran into each other. [ she tucks a few pieces of hair behind charlotte's ear, hand dropping back into her own lap. ] You've always been capable of standin' tall, with or without me.